PACKAGE CLEANER AND CLEANING PROCESS FOR CONVEYOR SYSTEMS

Abstract

TITLE: CLEANING PACKAGE AND METHOD FOR CLEANING A CONVEYOR SYSTEM. The invention relates to a cleaning package (3A) for use in cleaning a conveyor system comprising a conveyor surface (2A) arranged between two lateral edges, detection (21) or measuring instruments arranged on at least one of the lateral edges, and a control system. The cleaning package (3A) comprises a cleaning means (32A, 33A) capable of cleaning the conveyor surface, and / or the detection (21) or measuring means, and / or a space (21A, 22A) between the conveyor surface (2A) and one of the lateral edges (23, 24), when the cleaning package (3A) is transported on the conveyor surface (2A). The invention also relates to a method for cleaning a conveyor system using the cleaning package. Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: CLEANING PACKAGE AND CLEANING METHOD FOR CONVEYOR SYSTEM Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of intralogistics, in particular the maintenance of equipment constituting an intralogistics chain, such as conveying equipment.

[0002] It relates in particular to the cleaning of conveyor systems. State of the art

[0003] Conveyor systems play an essential role in the proper functioning of modern intralogistics facilities, enabling the smooth and rapid transport of goods within warehouses, sorting centers or production units.

[0004] These systems may be subject to various problems impacting their operation, such as wear and tear on one or more components, drift in settings, accumulation of contaminating materials such as dust, oil stains or the presence of cardboard debris or foreign bodies that have fallen from packages.

[0005] Maintaining a clean and functional conveying system therefore represents a constant challenge, particularly in environments where contaminants and debris are frequent, which directly affects the continuity and safety of intralogistics operations.

[0006] In known logistics facilities, interventions are always carried out manually by operators. Some are performed regularly as a preventative measure, such as cleaning dust deposited on detection or measurement instruments. Others may be carried out urgently, sometimes requiring a shutdown of the facility, to remove debris or objects that have fallen from packages.

[0007] Such human interventions are costly, time-consuming, and often involve a complete shutdown of the line to ensure the safety of those involved. They can also be subject to errors, for example, a malfunction of the detectors arranged on the edges of conveyors.

[0008] These problems highlight the need for a technical solution.

[0009] The present invention therefore aims to provide an innovative solution to overcome the problems described above in order to limit interruptions, reduce human intervention while increasing the reliability and cleanliness of conveyors. Summary of the invention

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a cleaning package intended for use in cleaning a conveying system comprising a conveying surface arranged between two lateral edges, detection or measurement instruments arranged on at least one of the lateral edges, and a management system, said package comprising a cleaning means suitable for cleaning the conveying surface, and / or the detection or measurement means, and / or a space between the conveying surface and one of the lateral edges, when said cleaning package is transported on the conveying surface.

[0011] The conveying surface can be a surface formed by one or more belts or by conveying rollers.

[0012] The cleaning package according to the invention makes it possible to at least partially automate conveyor cleaning operations. This eliminates the need for human intervention or at least reduces it. Thus, it is no longer necessary to stop the installation if an object or material is detected. Nor is it necessary to have personnel dedicated to cleaning. Furthermore, it reduces human errors such as malfunctions in the detection devices, and cleaning can be performed more regularly, thereby keeping the conveyor system clean.

[0013] Advantageously, the package may include a means of cleaning by mechanical action and / or by magnetic action and / or by suction and / or by blowing.

[0014] Advantageously, the package may include a means of collecting a material and / or an object present on the conveying system and a recovery bin suitable for receiving said material or object.

[0015] Advantageously, the cleaning means and / or the collection means can be activated on demand.

[0016] Thus, it is possible to target only the area where cleaning is necessary and save energy.

[0017] Advantageously, the cleaning package may further include wireless communication means arranged to receive an instruction from the management system to activate a cleaning and / or a collection of material and / or a collection of an object present on the conveyor system.

[0018] Advantageously, the cleaning package may also include location means capable of communicating its position to the management system. This makes it possible to accurately associate the location of the package with that of the area to be cleaned and thus trigger cleaning at the right time.

[0019] The means of locating the package may include detection of a QR code, barcode, data matrix, RFID / BLE, an inductive or capacitive sensor or positioning by GPS, or by telemetry.

[0020] Advantageously, the cleaning package may further include a detection means capable of detecting the presence of material or an object on the system of conveying and a triggering means to initiate a cleaning and / or collection of the material and / or object in response to said detection.

[0021] The detection device may be a camera or thermal camera or another type of detector.

[0022] The package can thus operate autonomously and intervene immediately after detecting the area to be cleaned.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for cleaning a conveying system comprising a conveying surface arranged between two lateral edges, detection or measurement instruments arranged on at least one of the lateral edges and a management system, the method comprising the following steps:

[0024] - introduction of a cleaning package into said conveyor system,

[0025] - transport of said cleaning package on the conveyor surface,

[0026] - performing at least one cleaning operation by said package in the system of transport, and

[0027] - removal of the cleaning package from the conveyor system.

[0028] Advantageously, the introduction of the cleaning package and / or the removal of the cleaning package can be carried out by a robot.

[0029] Advantageously, the introduction of the cleaning package and / or the removal of the cleaning package can be carried out by an autonomous mobile robot or an automatically guided vehicle.

[0030] This allows for the inspection and / or cleaning of a facility's conveyor system without requiring an operator to insert and retrieve the package. By automating the insertion and retrieval of the package, it becomes possible to schedule the process at chosen times.

[0031] We designate by cleaning package according to the invention a container not limited by a particular shape but which must remain stable during its transport. Brief description of the figures

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description in relation to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

[0033] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] represents a partial view illustrating a conveyor transporting a cleaning package according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partial view illustrating a conveyor transporting a cleaning package according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0035] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a partial view illustrating a conveyor transporting a cleaning package according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0036] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a partial view of an intralogistics installation illustrating an example of the journey of a cleaning package;

[0037] In the rest of the description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same references. Detailed description

[0038] Fig. 1 schematically shows part of an AI conveyor system. It includes a conveyor which includes a conveying surface 2A formed by one or more conveying belts located between 2 lateral edges 21, 22 which may include edges 20A and means of measurement or detection for example photoelectric cells 21, 22.

[0039] The transport surface can also be formed by rollers in other embodiments.

[0040] During the operation of the conveyor system IA, various types of materials may be found on the conveyor, the measuring or detection means, on the edges 20A, or in the gaps 21A, 22A between the conveying surface 2A and the lateral edges 23, 24. Such materials may include, for example, dust, oil stains, or other cleanable substances. Other objects may also be found on the conveyor, for example, cardboard debris, objects that fell during conveying, or screws or other metallic objects.

[0041] Thus, the conveyor system needs to be cleaned regularly; for example, the photoelectric cells 22 need to be cleaned regularly. Furthermore, intervention is required when debris or other metallic objects are detected.

[0042] A first example of a cleaning package 3A according to the invention is shown in [Fig. 1]. The package 3A comprises an outer casing 31 forming a container and lateral cleaning means 32A, 33A. These cleaning means 32A, 33A are arranged to clean the photoelectric cells 21, 22 when the package is transported by the conveyor surface 2A.

[0043] In other embodiments, the package may include a means for cleaning only on one side.

[0044] The lateral cleaning means 32A, 33A may also be retractable so as to allow their position to be adjusted, for example, to avoid interfering with the measuring or detection means. They may operate by mechanical action and include fabric or brushes.

[0045] In addition to cleaning the measuring or detection means, the cleaning means can also clean the space 21A, 22A between the conveying surface 2A and the edges lateral 23, 24. Other means may also be provided for cleaning the conveying surface.

[0046] The package may also include other types of cleaning means, for example by suction, by air blowing or by magnetic action, by gluing

[0047] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment in which the package 3B includes suction means 31B which allow for the suction of dust or debris present in one or both of the gaps 21B, 22B between the conveying surface 2B and the lateral edges 21B, 22B. It may also include suction and / or blowing means 32B which allow for the cleaning of the conveying surface 2A at least partially.

[0048] The cleaning packages 3A; 3B may also include sensors, for example a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor. They may also include a camera or a location system.

[0049] The 3C cleaner package of [Fig.3] may also include, in addition to cleaning means and possibly detection means, data recording means, data processing means and / or data transmission means, for example wireless 36.

[0050] To be able to perform targeted interventions, it is advantageous to locate the point on the conveyor system where cleaning is to be carried out. There are different ways to perform such localization. [Fig. 3] illustrates an example of a system in which localization is performed by scanning a QR code 4 at the entrance to, or near, the conveyor 2C to be cleaned.

[0051] Other location methods are possible, for example the use of barcodes, data matrix, RFID / BLE, an inductive or capacitive sensor or even positioning by GPS, or by telemetry.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows an example of an intralogistics installation 100 comprising a set of equipment, such as conveyors 200. The cleaning package 300 can be placed by an operator at a location in the installation to be routed along a predetermined path to perform one or more cleanings.

[0053] According to an advanced operation, the installation also includes one or more AGVs or AMRs 500 whose path can be programmed to drop off and pick up the cleaning package 300 at different areas of the conveyor system 100. This therefore makes it possible to automate the inspection and cleaning of the supply chain cleaning system and thus reduce human intervention.

[0054] This automation of the installation verification and cleaning process can also allow repeated passes and thus guarantee the availability of the installation.

Claims

Demands

1. A cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300) intended for use in cleaning a conveying system comprising a conveying surface (2A; 2B; 2C; 200) arranged between two lateral edges, detection (21) or measuring instruments arranged on at least one of the lateral edges, and a control system, said cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C) comprising a cleaning means (32A, 33A; 32B, 33B; 32C, 33C) capable of cleaning the conveying surface, and / or the detection (21) or measuring means, and / or a space (21A, 21B; 22A, 22B) between the conveying surface (2A; 2B; 2C; 200) and one of the lateral edges (23, 24), when said cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300) is transported on the conveyor surface (2A; 2B; 2C).

2. Cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300) according to the preceding claim comprising a cleaning means (32A, 33A; 32B, 33B; 32C, 33C) by mechanical action and / or by magnetic action and / or by suction and / or by blowing.

3. Cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a means for collecting a material and / or an object present on the conveying system and a recovery bin suitable for receiving said material or object.

4. Cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cleaning means 32A, 33A; 32B, 33B; 32C, 33C) and / or the collection means are activatable on demand.

5. Cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising wireless communication means (36) arranged to receive an instruction from the management system to activate a cleaning and / or collection of material and / or collection of an object present on the conveyor system.

6. Cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising location means capable of communicating its position to the management system.

7. Cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a detection means capable of detecting the presence of material or an object on the conveyor system and a triggering means for triggering a cleaning and / or collection of the material and / or the object in response to said detection.

8. A method for cleaning a conveyor system (IA; IB; IC; 100) comprising a conveyor surface (2A; 2B; 2C) arranged between two lateral edges (22, 23), detection (21) or measurement instruments arranged on said lateral edges, and a management system, the method comprising the following steps: - introducing a cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300) according to one of the preceding claims into said conveyor system (IA; IB; IC; 100), - transporting said cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300) on the conveyor surface (IA; IB; IC; 100), - performing at least one cleaning operation by said cleaning package in the conveyor system, and - removing the cleaning package from the conveyor system.

9. Cleaning method according to the preceding claim wherein the introduction of the cleaning package (3A; 3B; 3C; 300), and / or the removal of the cleaning package is carried out by a robot.

10. Cleaning method according to the preceding claim wherein the introduction of the cleaning package (300) and / or the removal of the cleaning package is carried out by an autonomous mobile robot (500) or an automatically guided vehicle.

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